I do not own Naruto or Venom/Carnage
AN. Sorry for the long gap. No excuses just my apologies to my readers. here is the next chapter. For those who are wondering Venom will finally be unleashed very very soon. Chapter 13 at the very latest. As always thanks for reading and reviewing.
oOo
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Chapter 11. Second interlude.
Running upstairs Inari wiped angry tears from his eyes. Sniffling a bit he ran into his room. Scarcely looking around he fell onto his bed. And fell against something warm. That was moving. Jumping back off the bed with a startled squeak he took a more cautious look. Lying on his bed was a girl. A very pretty girl. One with long pink hair. She stirred once but went still again.
Stepping closer cautiously he took a closer look. She was sleeping peacefully curled around a pillow she held in her arms. She was wearing a red dress and there were bandages on both her arms. Is she hurt?
Backing away as quietly as he could Inari looked around his bedroom for something to cover her with. Spotting his coverlet in a corner he tip toed over to it and picked it up in both hands.
Walking back to the sleeping girl he gingerly put the coverlet on her. As the cloth settled around her she stirred and woke up. Stretching her arms overhead she looked around sleepily. "Sasuke?"
"No I'm Inari."
"Hello I'm Sakura." She answered back politely while still half asleep. The manners her mother had drilled into her serving her well. Shaking her head once to clear the cobwebs and stifling a yawn behind a bandaged hand Sakura finally got her rattled brain working again. Looking around Sakura examined the room she was in, besides the bed she was in there were a few toys scattered around as well as some minor odds and ends. There was also a small pile of clothes in one corner. That and the young dark haired boy who was looking at her with wide eyed curiosity. "Hey so do you know Tazuna and Tsunami?"
"They're my mum and Grandpa." Inari replied wiping one of his eyes.
"Hey what's wrong?" Sakura asked as she took hold of one of Inari's hands and took in the unshed tears that glimmered in his eyes..
"Nothing." He replied stubbornly.
Opening her mouth Sakura closed it again. Smiling she pulled the boy into an awkward hug. Blushing a bit in embarrassment she patted his head gingerly until the boys shoulders stopped shaking. Letting him go after a moment she sat him down next to her.
The two sat on the bed together neither looking at each other.
Eventually Inari looked over at Sakura. Blushing a bit as he looked at the pink haired girl he tried to think of something to say. Glancing down at his hands he noticed the white bandages covering her hands and arms.
"Sakura are you hurt?"
"No I'm just tired." Sakura said as she ran a hand through her hair. "Why?"
"Your hands. They're covered in bandages.
"Oh these. They're for protection."
"Cloth bandages?" Inari asked skeptically.
Taking in the expression on his face Sakura giggled. "Here let me show you." Reaching over she undid the knot on her left arm. Unwinding a two or three foot long length she held it one hand while she reached into her holster for a kunai. Pulling one out she handed it to Inari. "Here try and cut it."
Shrugging Inari grabbed the kunai in one hand and a length of cloth in the other. Drawing the blade down the length of the fabric he tried to saw through the cloth. After a few moments of hacking and sawing at the bandages Inari finally gave up, a sullen look on his face. "I guess they're OK."
Giggling Sakura began to wrap her hand and arm again. "I think so. Naruto gave them to me."
"Who?"
"Didn't you meet him? He's got short blonde hair, earrings and hes wearing a blue shirt." Sakura described Naruto to him.
"Oh" Inari's face had grown sullen again.
"Hey what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Although curious Sakura kept her silence focusing on re-wrapping her arm again.
oOo
Downstairs Naruto and Tsunami prepared lunch together. After Naruto's impromptu oath they had had fallen into a comfortable silence while they prepared the meal. Naruto prepared the food with a confident hand. Odd as it may have sounded, he was actually a fair chef. This was mostly due to one reason. A few years ago while his Mom was still a chunin and just before Anko became a tokubetsu jounin she had been taking a lot of missions in order to help pay for their house. What this meant was that he and Anko had to cook for themselves.
A lot.
And Anko couldn't cook.
Their first attempt had caused a fire. A big one.
Their second attempt had landed Iruka in the hospital.
As for their third attempt. That stain still hadn't come out.
They'd even replaced the floor! It kept coming back!
After that Ayame had helped the two out by teaching them how to cook. That hadn't gone over too well either. Anko's spoon had snapped. So had her temper. But eventually they(he) had gotten the hang of it.
Now he just concentrated on cutting up the vegetables. But the first chance he got he would apologize to Inari.
"Naruto." Tsunami spoke up after a while.
"Yeah."
"That's enough for now. I can finish this. Thanks for your help." She said taking the ingredients Naruto had prepared. "You know you're pretty good at this. Did your mom teach you?"
"huh? No. My sisters friend works at a restaurant she taught us."
"Us?"
"My sister and me."
"So do you have any more siblings?"
"No its just the three of us. Me my mom and my sister."
"What about your father?" Tsunami asked her voice soft.
"He died. A long time ago." Naruto replied gently.
"I'm sorry." She turned her attention back to the food in front of her. After a few quiet moments later she spoke again. "You know there's an apothecary in town. He probably has a few things that might help your sensei. You should go take a look."
"Really?" Conversation forgotten Naruto dashed out the door leaving an amused Tsunami behind. She watched him go a small smile tugging at her lips.
oOo
Walking back across the lake surface Kurenai allowed herself a small smile of satisfaction. Fighting the rogue nin had cheered her up immensely. Looking around she spotted Kiba walking out of the woods with an anxious look on his face. She gave him a reassuring wave and focused her attention back to the shore. Hinata held a compress to Shibuki's stomach who although pale was looking better. Kiba and Akamaru began to untie the villagers once she gave him the 'All clear' signal.
Scanning the area one last time she couldn't find any of the chakra signatures of any other ninja besides her two genin. Picking up her pace a bit she made it back to shore quickly by gliding across the water, in a manner resembling skating.
"Sensei." Hinata cried out happily as Kurenai stepped onto solid ground skipping off the water's surface rather girlishly.
"Hinata. Kiba. Are you two OK?" She asked as Kiba and Akamaru joined them closely followed by the rest of the village crowding around the group of ninja.
"Yes"
"I'm fine Sensei. The other ninja is in the woods over there." Kiba motioned over his shoulder with his thumb. Next to him a few of the villagers had taken over from Hinata, letting her join Kurenai and Kiba.
"You two did very well." Kurenai said gathering up the two in her arms. "You saved a lot of lives." The villagers gathered up Shibuki and carried him to the center of the village, the rest of the village followed suit and gave the three some privacy.
After a few moments Kurenai broke the hug. Running a hand through Hinata's hair she motioned for the two to follow her. Together the trio followed the crowd over to where Shibuki lay in front of a hut. Two of the village elders sat next to Shibuki tending to his wounds.
"Still alive?" She asked as she knelt down next to him.
Coughing once Shibuki turned his head towards Kurenai. "I'll be fine. It looks like Suien was a little too excited over the hero water. He didn't stab deep enough."
"Good. Shibuki we have completed our mission to see you home. Are you satisfied with our service?" She asked an amused smile on her lips.
Chuckling Shibuki winced. "Very. Thank you. You saved my people."
Kurenai nodded graciously. "Here." She said pulling a bottle from her dress and handing it to Shibuki. "The hero water."
"You switched it?" Shibuki asked as he gently took the bottle. Holding it delicately he turned it over a few times his expression thoughtful.
"It seemed prudent. Is something wrong?" Kurenai asked as she took in Shibuki's expression.
"No. Nothing." Shibuki took a deep breath before speaking again. "Kurenai, would you and your team mind spending the night here?" He asked, ignoring the storm of conversation that followed his remark.
Running a hand through her dark hair to hide her eyes, Kurenai ran her gaze over the crowd. She spotted mostly confusion but there were tiny hints of anger and resentment on some faces. But still mostly surprise.
"Thank you Shibuki. We will be glad to."
Nodding once Shibuki murmured a few words to the people around him before being carried off.
oOo
Naruto stepped out of Tazuna's home and looked around, taking in his surroundings. When they had brought Kakashi here he hadn't really been looking around. Now he finally got a good look around. Green, that was his first impression. Like Konoha the land of Wave was covered in lush foliage. Trees and bushes growing thickly as far as the eye could see. Taking a moment to enjoy the scenery he took a deep breath.
A seconds concentration and he was off, dashing into the treetops heading towards the distant plumes of smoke that he had spotted earlier.
Watching from the rooftop of Tazuna's home Sasuke idly tossed a kunai up and down in his hand, a curious expression on his face.
Faster than he'd thought Naruto arrived at the edge of the town. It had a depressing sort of look to it. Houses and shops and other things spread along the edge of the water. He could see people on the streets, but they moved quietly with none of the animation he expected. It reminds me of my old apartment. Not old really but abandoned. Like somethings missing.
Taking off his Hiate he stuffed it into one of his pockets. Reaching into another pouch he pulled out a gray poncho/cloak. Throwing it around his shoulders he entered the town.
oOo
Pushing open the door to the apothecary Naruto stepped aside to let a woman and child pass. They exited with hardly a glance in his direction, though the woman did give Naruto a single curt nod as she passed.
Stepping inside the small shop he made his way down the aisles looking for what he needed. Now if I only knew what that was. He tried to remember what Choji had told him about soldier pills. But nothing really came to mind.
Reaching out he made to pick up small bottle with a picture of a flower on it. It looked vaguely familiar. Even as his fingers closed around it so did another hand. A soft white hand. Attached a to an equally soft and delicate arm.
Glancing up in surprise Naruto found himself looking into a pair of brownish green eyes, framed by the longest eyelashes he had ever seen. Snatching back his hand in surprise he took a step back and got his first real look at the person, no it was a girl.
In addition to her eyes she had straight black hair hanging down to her shoulders and was wearing a red and pink kimono with a black choker around her slender neck. She was holding a small basket in the crook of one arm.
"Hi." Naruto said as he let go of the bottle.
"Hello." She greeted him back, her voice soft, musical. "Did you need this?" She asked holding out the bottle to Naruto.
Shaking his head Naruto waved a hand in denial. "No. Actually I'm not sure."
"You're not sure?" She asked tilting her head curiously to one side.
"Yeah. A friend of mine really wore himself out. I just want something to help him get his energy back."
"That's very kind of you." Holding up the bottle she indicated the label. "This is for wounds, what you need is over there." she pointed to a row of shelves a few feet away.
"Thanks." Waving Naruto headed over to the shelf leaving the girl standing there with an amused expression on her face.
Reaching the shelf she had indicated he began to scan the rows of neatly labeled pills and powders. Picking a few at random he took them into his arms and started to make his way over to the counter. As he turned around he almost ran into the girl who was standing behind him. A large smile broke out across her face as she took in the random assortment of things in his arms. "Come here." she said taking Naruto by the arm and leading him back to the rows of shelves.
"So what's wrong with your friend?" She asked as she began replacing the various things back on the shelves.
"Umm he got into a fight and really wore himself out. We had to carry him home."
"Oh so he just needs to recover his strength then?" She asked as she began to pull a few things from the shelves. "Here this should be fine." She said placing a few small bottles in his arms. "The instructions are on the back. But all of them can just be mixed with water and drank."
"Thanks. I really appreciate it." Naruto said as he fumbled the things into his arms. "Do you need any help?"
"I'm fine. I have what I need." She said holding up her basket. Together the two walked over to the counter, where a wizened old man was ringing up various purchases.
"Is this together?" he asked as Naruto and the girl approached the counter.
"Yes."
"No."
The two looked at each other embarrassed. "Yes." Naruto repeated emphatically, drawing another smile from the girl. Pulling out his wallet he paid for the items and the two left together.
Once outside he turned back to her. "Thanks for all your help. I'm Naruto."
"Haku." Tilting her head to the side she looked curiously at Naruto. "Why?"
"Why what?" he asked back. She held up her paper bag full of medical supplies, a smile on her lips.
"Oh." He smiled at her and shrugged. "Who knows." Drawing a bigger smile from her.
"What are you doing here? In wave?" She asked as the two began to walk down the street.
"Can you keep a secret?" He asked grinning mischievously.
"Sure"
Naruto held out a hand in the air. "I'm here to protect something." As he spoke he closed his hand into a fist, grinning back at Haku.
"Something or someone?" Haku asked shrewdly.
"Both."
"So your some kind of bodyguard? Or are you a ninja?"
Naruto simply grinned, which made Haku snort in frustration.
"Are they worth protecting?" Haku picked up the conversation again.
"You know I didn't think so. Not at first."
"What changed your mind?"
"Do you know what makes life, life?" Naruto asked turning to look at Haku. "Having something to protect. Something to come back to. Something worth dying for. The man I'm here to protect finally remembered that. And that makes him worth protecting."
For just a moment as Naruto spoke Haku had a memory flash into her mind. A snow covered bridge. A tall figure wreathed in falling snow. One hand held outstretched to hers.
"Are you OK? Your face is kind red."
"What?" Reaching up Haku touched her cheek, it felt hot. "Sorry I was a little distracted. Do you have something like that? Something or someone to protect?" She asked quickly to cover up her distracted state.
"Yeah, I do. But I didn't always have them." Something about the girl was making him unusually talkative. But he felt a strange tug whenever he looked at her. A bone deep sense of familiarity that he found hard to rationalize. "I was alone for years, and then one day."
"One day what?"
"My mom found me. And suddenly I had a family. I wasn't alone anymore." he smiled at Haku who smiled back before looking away.
The two walked together a bit further, their hands occasionally brushing against each other as they walked. The peaceful walk had to end sometime though. And all too soon it did. They stopped at the road at the edge of town.
"I gotta go this way." Naruto pointed over his shoulder.
"I'm going over there." Haku pointed behind her. "Thanks for this." She held up her bag. "Here." Impulsively she reached up to her neck and untied a small leather thong from around her neck. "This is for you." She pressed something small and round into Naruto's hand.
Opening his hand Naruto saw a small black pearl with blue designs resting on his palm. It was held in a loose weave of leather strands to form a necklace of some sort. "Wow." He whispered softly. "Are you sure? isn't this pretty valuable?"
"Yes. But it's not something I want. I mean I'm... Sorry."
"What?"
"Let me explain." She waved Naruto over to a small pile of wood and sat down. "That pearl means a lot to me but... It also has a lot of bad memories attached to it. But I couldn't bring myself to throw it away."
"So your giving it to me." Naruto said as he dangled the pearl in front of his eyes, an amused smile on his face.
"Yes."
"I'll keep it safe then."
"Thank you." Once again the two lapsed into an awkward silence. "We should probably get going." Haku said as she stood up.
"Will I see you around?"
"We'll meet again someday." Without another word Haku turned and left.
As she walked away Naruto examined the pearl again. It was warm to touch, and maybe it was just his imagination but he thought he could feel a slight pulse coming from it. At any rate it was a kind gift. Knotting the leather thong around his neck he slipped the pearl down his shirt.
oOo
Walking back into the room he was sharing with Naruto, Sasuke looked around for something to do. Kakashi didn't leave me any instructions on what to do. Sakura's worthless but at least she's a better fighter than Naruto. He thought as he remembered Naruto's abysmal performance in the academy taijutsu classes. But... He did kill one of the demon brothers and he did pretty well against those water clones. Just how strong is he? Was I wrong about him? No. no way. Absorbed in his thoughts he flopped down onto the bed knocking over Naruto's pack as he did so. With a heavy 'thunk' it hit the floor spilling its contents everywhere. Growling in frustration he jumped off the bed and began to gather up the fallen items. Idly sorting the contents into piles he began to repack them neatly. Glancing at the pile of scrolls, weapons, explosive tags, food and other supplies he growled under his breath. Damn what the hell is Naruto thinking bringing all this crap with him. Well at least he doesn't under pack. Hefting the pack in his arms he tossed it onto the other bed where it bounced heavily.
Growling again he went back to his bed and flopped down. Crossing his hands behind his head he went over the fight with Zabuza again. I learned two jutsus and we took out an A rank missing nin. Not bad for my first mission. Gritting his teeth he remembered his own place in that battle. Even with the Sharingan I wasn't even able to mark him. I guess Kakashi-Sensei deserves his reputation. I knew he was called the copy ninja, but I thought that just meant he was good at replicating techniques. But where did he get his Sharingan? Everyone in my clan was killed that night. There was no one out on a mission that day. I'm the only survivor! Damn it!
Jumping off his bed he walked out the door and proceeded down the hallway to Kakashi's room. Opening the door he walked inside interrupting Kakashi and Tazuna. The two were talking quietly while drinking some tea. "Kakashi-Sensei may I have a word?" Noting the serious look on his face Kakashi and Tazuna exchanged a long look. Something passed between the two men, too quickly for him to decipher before Tazuna excused himself and left.
"What is it Sasuke?" Kakashi asked in his usual lazy drawl.
"Sensei why do you have the Sharingan?"
Taking a long drink from his cup Kakashi paused before answering. "I suppose I should have seen this coming. Sit down Sasuke."
Moving stiffly Sasuke took a seat across from his sensei an unreadable expression on his face.
"This eye." Kakashi began his voice a bit wistful. "This was a battlefield necessity. On a mission a long time ago a member of your clan was dying. In order to keep his eye from falling into enemy hands and to keep it from being destroyed he requested that it be implanted in me. After the mission your clan honored his decision and allowed me to keep the Sharingan."
"What was his name?"
"Obito Uchiha. Is your curiosity satisfied?" as Kakashi spoke his one visible eyebrow rising until it almost disappeared under his hiate.
"Yes Sensei." he swallowed hastily as he took in his sensei's expression. "There is one more thing."
"You activated your Sharingan." It wasn't question.
"Yes sensei. When are we going to start training my Sharingan?"
"When your body is ready for the strain. Yes you can copy any technique you see. But if you don't have the chakra to use those techniques you'll end up like Sakura. As for taijutsu. copying an advanced style will end with you in the hospital. Until I say so DO NOT deliberately copy any techniques without my express permission. That goes double when we get back to Konoha. Is that understood?"
Sasuke nodded once but his left hand tightened incrementally until it was a tight clenched fist.
"Good." With a suddenness that was a bit startling Kakashi's expression changed back into its usual cheerful expression. Such as it was. "Get some rest Sasuke, well be busy the next couple of days."
"Doing what precisely Sensei? I thought our mission was to guard Tazuna while HE built the bridge?"
Scratching his cheek thoughtfully Kakashi answered. "That doesn't mean you won't be getting some kind of training while you're at it." Waving one hand dismissively he pulled out his book with the other and began to read.
"I see." Kakashi is hiding something but what? What the hell is Kakashi playing at? How am I supposed to get stronger as fast I need to if I'm not learning new jutsus. With these thoughts uppermost in his mind he slipped out the door and was gone.
oOo
As the sun set it painted the sky in iridescent shades of gold and crimson before fading into the deep purple of the night sky. The bright pinpricks of stars spread across the sky in glittering waves as the sun receded. Writing her report by the light of a single candle Kurenai took a moment to savor the view before turning back to her writing. On the windowsill next to her a messenger hawk shifted its wings restlessly. She had already finished a letter to Naruto, it was sitting next to her ready to be sent off as well.
"Sensei." Hinata's shy voice called from the doorway. Looking over Kurenai spotted the girl standing with her hands nervously wringing together.
"You're worried about Shino aren't you?" She asked even as she kept writing, her pen flickering across the surface of the scroll in quick even strokes.
"Yes"
"Hinata. Do you trust Shino?"
"Yes."
"Then trust that he'll get back safely. I'm sending a message back to the village letting them know of our situation, and by now Shino's message should have reached his clan. They'll have mobilized by now. Have faith in their strength" She leveled a serious gaze towards Hinata. "and in his. The way they believe in yours."
"Right!" Hinata exclaimed her figure straightening into a more confident posture. "Thank you sensei. Good Night." Turning she walked away.
"Good Night. Hinata." Smiling she went back to her writing, "You too Kiba." A startled gasp and the sound of footsteps was her only answer. She looked out the window again. Naruto, Shino, stay safe my dear ones...
oOo
AN: Thanks to my Beta's Whitedragon17 and Psudocode Samurai, without whose help and inspiration this story would never have gotten off the ground. Both are amazing authors and I highly recommend all of their fics. And thanks to all my reviewers.
AAN: If you think I made a mistake or have a suggestion or an idea, Please PM me or leave it in a review.